A Mix Of Provence, Paris And The Best Steak In Cape Town

Sophisticated yet simple, HQ also has daily live music and offers function hire

Situated just off bustling Bree Street on iconic Heritage Square in the city centre, Headquarters (HQ) is renowned for its no-fuss, full-flavoured food. The restaurant is sleek, soulful and well-established with a reputation built over a decade on the Cape Town restaurant scene.

SOPHISTICATED, SIMPLE, DELICIOUSFor HQ, sophistication lies in simplicity. That’s why they have a team of food purveyors that source, test, and develop ingredients to deliver delicious — but unpretentious — food and drinks. They also find new and creative ways to ensure minimal waste, striving to minimise their environmental footprint.

A LITTLE PIECE OF EUROPE IN THE HEART OF CAPE TOWNHQ has all the makings of an on-trend eatery in the heart of Milan, Prague or Monaco. Leather couches, a crackling fire, intimate tables, and an open-plan kitchen build the baseline for the effortlessly elegant ambience. The lounge-style music, balloon lighting and simplistic menu come together to give HQ a cosmopolitan feel that everyone can enjoy. And it’s good for any occasion, from after-work drinks and light tapas to date-night, an important business meeting, or even a night of dancing.

WHAT THEY’RE BEST KNOWN FORHQ’s is renowned for one thing: steak. Their signature set menu offering of salad, steak and chips is so much more than it seems: it’s a journey started off with crisp cos and iceberg lettuce, toasted pine nuts and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Next, the star of the show is served: a grain-fed 250g sirloin steak topped with Café de Paris butter, with a side of skinny fries.

If you’re feeling brave, indulge in the #HQSteakChallenge, which sees the 250g sirloin replaced with a 1kg black Angus sirloin on the bone (aka a tomahawk steak), served with a 750ml Castle Lite. If you finish the challenge you’ll have your name engraved into HQ folklore on their Wall of Fame.

THERE IS OTHER FOOD TOOSteak made them famous, but HQ has a variety to offer. The chefs keep things simple, fresh and seasonal: think triple-cooked pork belly served with apple crème Fraiche, mustard, crackling and jus, or free-range chicken wings served with BBQ sauce, smoked yoghurt, tomato pesto and blue cheese. They also have a tapas menu to enjoy in the cosy lounge area or open-air courtyard.

AND YOU CAN BRING VEGETARIAN FRIENDSWhen you want steak but your friend doesn’t eat meat, HQ also serves a vegetarian option. The steak is replaced by duxelles-stuffed portabella mushrooms topped with parmesan cheese and baked to perfection.

THE SWEETEST GOODBYEHQ’s approach to dessert is elegant but easy-going. Expect a deconstructed cheesecake, dark chocolate fondant, or the tonka bean crème Brulee to end the night off on a perfectly sweet note.

CAREFULLY CRAFTED COCKTAILSThe cocktail menu is comprehensive, and includes highlights such as the Signal Hill Sunset, made with bourbon, burnt orange, orange bitters, Aperol and cinnamon-infused vermouth; and the HQ Watering Can, a long drink made with lavender-infused gin, fresh mint, basil and cucumber with an apple and plum cordial. They also have a Johnny Walker infused cocktail called the William Wallace and a Vodka based one called Double Dutch. Classic cocktails are also available upon request.

IDEAL FOR BIG BOOKINGS AND EVENTSHQ is versatile enough to accommodate bookings of different sizes and requirements. Contact the restaurant about the mezzanine (which has its own bar), the main dining area, the lounge or the courtyard. Rain or shine, HQ can accommodate everything from birthdays to engagements, bachelor or bachelorette’s parties, and year-end functions.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY DAYThere’s live entertainment every evening at HQ. An array of resident DJs play on Thursday evenings for the #HalfPriceTapas special. On Fridays catch Dino Moran and friends, while Saturday nights are bottomless bubbly. They also have live music Mondays to go with a two-for-one steak special You can also catch local swing crooner Ricky Botsis on a Tuesday during the #PremiumDateNight special

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